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Figures in the ancient sources

Typhoeus in the ancient sources

Ancient Sources / Figures / Typhoeus

40 passages from 15 ancient authors that tell of Typhoeus, in the original with English translation, author by author in the order the Greeks read them. Typhoeus or Typhon was considered the mightiest and deadliest monster in Greek mythology. He was the last son of Gaea and Tartarus, created as a last ... For the story in one place, read our article on Typhoeus.

Hesiod (3)

  1. Hesiod, Theogony 820–869Zeus and Typhoeus (820-869)Gaia bears her youngest child, Typhoeus, with a hundred snake heads and every kind of voice, and he would have come to rule gods and men had Zeus not noticed. Zeus's thunder shakes heaven and earth, and he strikes the monster down and burns his heads; earth melts in the heat. Typhoeus is hurled to Tartarus, and from him come the harmful winds, except Notus, Boreas and Zephyrus.
  2. Hesiod, Theogony 305–334Echidna's offspring: Cerberus, the Hydra, the Chimaera and the Sphinx (305-334)Typhaon is joined in love to Echidna, and their offspring are Orthus, Cerberus, the Hydra and the Chimaera. The Hydra is nourished by Hera and killed by Heracles with Iolaus's help, and the Chimaera is killed by Pegasus and Bellerophon. Echidna and Orthus bear the Sphinx and the Nemean lion, which Hera rears, and the section ends with Ceto and Phorcys's youngest child, the serpent that guards the golden apples.
  3. Hesiod, Theogony 870–899The winds of Typhoeus; Zeus becomes king and swallows Metis (870-899)Hesiod describes the destructive winds that spring from Typhoeus and wreck ships and fields. When the gods have settled their struggle with the Titans, they press Zeus to reign, and he divides their honours. Zeus's first wife is Metis, the wisest of gods and men; to prevent her bearing a son who would rule over him, he deceives her and puts her inside his own belly.

Homer (2)

  1. Homer, The Homeric Hymns 3.300–439Hymn 3 to Apollo (4): the she-dragon and the Cretan shipAt Crisa, under Mount Parnassus, Apollo shoots the monstrous she-dragon that has been a plague to men and flocks, and punishes the spring of Telphusa for deceiving him. He then looks for men to serve his temple, sees a ship of Cretans from Cnossos sailing to Pylos, and leaps aboard in the form of a dolphin to steer it to Crisa.
  2. Homer, Iliad 2.645–785The Catalogue of Ships (3): Crete, Achilles' Myrmidons and ThessalyThe Catalogue turns to the Cretans under Idomeneus, Tlepolemus of Rhodes and Nireus of Syme. It lists Achilles' Myrmidons, who lie idle by their ships while he nurses his wrath, and then the contingents from Thessaly, including those of Protesilaus, Philoctetes and Eumelus. The poet asks the Muse who were the best of the men and horses, and names Ajax as the best man while Achilles was angry.

Apollodorus (2)

  1. Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome 1.6.1–3The Giants and TyphonEarth bears the Giants, led by Alcyoneus and Porphyrion, and because an oracle says no god can kill them, Zeus summons Heracles; the section lists which god kills which Giant. Earth then bears Typhon, who drives the gods to Egypt, takes Zeus's sinews and hides them in a Cilician cave until Hermes and Aegipan steal them back. Zeus pursues him through Thrace and Sicily and buries him under Mount Etna.
  2. Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome 2.5.11–12The Labours of Heracles (11-12): the Golden Apples and CerberusBecause the hydra and the stables are not counted, two more labours are added. For the golden apples of the Hesperides Heracles seizes Nereus to learn the way, defeats Antaeus and Busiris, frees Prometheus from the eagle, and gets the apples by tricking Atlas into taking the sky back. He is initiated at Eleusis, goes down to Hades by Taenarum, raises Theseus (but not Pirithous), wrestles Menoetes, and carries Cerberus up to Eurystheus and back.

Pindar (1)

  1. Pindar, Pythian Odes 1.1–100Pythian 1: for Hieron — the golden lyre and AetnaPindar hymns the golden lyre of Apollo and the Muses, before which even the enemies of Zeus, such as Typhon beneath Aetna, are terrified. He praises Hieron, founder of the city of Aetna, victor in the chariot race, and prays that Dorian order may last there, recalling the battles of Salamis, Cithaeron and Himera. He ends by contrasting the fame of Croesus with the infamy of Phalaris.

Aeschylus (2)

  1. Aeschylus, Seven against Thebes 457–562Second episode: Eteoclus, Hippomedon and Parthenopaeus at the next three gatesThe Scout reports Eteoclus at the third gate, Hippomedon, who spins his huge shield, at the fourth, and Parthenopaeus of Arcadia at the fifth. For each, Eteocles names a Theban to meet him, Megareus, Hyperbius and Actor, and he says that the signs on the enemies' shields tell of their own doom.
  2. Aeschylus, Prometheus Bound 279–398First episode (cont.): Oceanus offers to intercedeOceanus arrives on a winged creature and offers to plead with Zeus for Prometheus. He advises him to know himself, to change his ways and not to speak so defiantly against the new ruler. Prometheus refuses, tells of the punishment of Atlas and of Typhon, says that Oceanus might suffer himself if he tried, and tells him to go home. Oceanus leaves.

Apollonius Rhodius (1)

  1. Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 2.1030–1225The birds of Ares and the sons of PhrixusNear the island of Ares the heroes scare off the birds that shoot their feathers like arrows, by wearing helmets and clashing shields. On the island they find the four shipwrecked sons of Phrixus, who are Jason's kinsmen, and who tell them of Aeetes and the sleepless serpent. Argus agrees to guide the Argonauts to Colchis.

Ovid (3)

  1. Ovid, Metamorphoses 5.338–461Typhoeus; the rape of PersephoneCalliope sings for the Muses of the giant Typhoeus buried under Sicily, whose struggles shake the island, and of how Aphrodite (Venus) asks Eros (Cupid) to wound Hades (Pluto) with love. Hades, driving through Sicily, sees Persephone (Proserpina) gathering flowers by the lake of Pergus and carries her off in his chariot. The nymph Cyane tries to stop him and is changed into a pool, and Hades drives through the earth to his own kingdom. Demeter (Ceres) begins her search for her daughter, and turns the boy Stellio, who mocks her thirst, into a lizard.
  2. Ovid, Metamorphoses 5.250–337Athena visits the Muses; PyreneusAthena (Minerva), having helped Perseus, visits the Muses on Mount Helicon and sees the spring that Pegasus made with his hoof. One of the Muses tells how King Pyreneus once offered them shelter in a storm and then tried to rape them, and fell to his death when he leapt from a tower thinking he could fly. The Muses then speak of the nine daughters of Pierus, who had challenged them to a singing contest, and Athena sits down to listen.
  3. Ovid, Fasti 2.425–474Fasti 2: The Luperci and Juno Lucina; the Fishes, Dione and Eros (Cupid)Ovid says brides are struck by the Luperci with hide thongs to bear children. Romulus laments the childless wives, and in a sacred grove Hera (Juno) speaks; an Etruscan augur has the women beaten, and births follow in the tenth month. He then tells of Dione and Eros (Cupid), who flee Typhon to the Euphrates and are carried by two fish, now stars.

Nonnus of Panopolis (13)

  1. Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 2.475–630Book 2: Zeus overwhelms Typhon; the mock epitaphZeus and Typhoeus fight on equal terms, with thunder and lightning against the Giant's many hands, and the four winds join in. His heads are scorched and frozen in turn, and his mother Earth begs Helios and the winter winds to ease him. Typhoeus falls, and Zeus mocks him with a speech about the throne he wanted and offers him an empty tomb and an epitaph.
  2. Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 1.409–534Book 1: Cadmos pipes to Typhon and wins back the sinewsDisguised as a herdsman, Cadmos plays on his reeds, and Typhoeus comes laughing and boasts of what he will do to heaven. Cadmos says he could do better on the harp if only he had the sinews, and Typhoeus fetches them and gives them to him. Cadmos hides them and goes on playing to the entranced Giant.
  3. Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 2.241–390Book 2: Typhon's boast and the first assault on ZeusTyphoeus wakes shouting threats: he will overturn the heavens, bring up Cronos and the Titans, and take Hera for his bride. Zeus laughs, and the battle opens with the Giant hurling trees and rocks against the thunderbolt.
  4. Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 1.344–408Book 1: Zeus takes Europa and enlists CadmosZeus takes his human shape and lies with Europa, and the Bull is set among the stars. He then meets Cadmos with Eros and Pan and devises a plan: Cadmos is to pipe as a herdsman and charm Typhoeus so that the weapons can be recovered. Zeus promises him Harmonia as his wife.
  5. Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 1.219–343Book 1: Typhon assails the stars and the sea; Hera taunts ZeusThe stars and constellations arm themselves against Typhoeus, who then turns on the sea, hurling cliffs and islands and frightening its creatures. He cannot manage Zeus's thunderbolts, which slip from his clumsy hands. Meanwhile the bull sets Europa down on Dicte, and Hera mocks Zeus for his passion.
  6. Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 2.109–240Book 2: The nymph's lament; Victory rouses ZeusA nymph runs through every means of escape for her maidenhood, as bird, tree, spring or stone, and finds none safe. Night falls and the stars keep watch over Olympos while Zeus sits alone. Victory comes in the shape of Leto to reproach him, listing the gods who have fled and urging him to fight.
  7. Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 2.0–108Book 2: Typhon rages through the land; the Hamadryads' fearWhile Cadmos goes on piping, Zeus slips back to the cave and arms himself again under cover of a cloud. Typhoeus finds the cave empty and rages through Cilicia, devouring beasts and drinking rivers dry. Shepherds and ploughmen flee, the gods lament their lost plants, and two Hamadryads leap from their trees.
  8. Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 2.391–474Book 2: The winds join Zeus; Typhon's rocks are turned asideThe winds side with Zeus and shake the coasts. Zeus arms Rout and Terror and fights with lightning, hail and thunder, cutting off the Giant's hands. Typhoeus tries to quench the fire with river water and hurls rocks and an island, but Zeus turns them aside.
  9. Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 1.134–218Book 1: Typhon steals Zeus's thunderboltsCadmos, following the bull, comes to the cave of Arima as the mountains move against Olympos. Zeus had hidden his weapons in a cave while he went to Pluto's bed, and at his mother Earth's nod Typhoeus steals them. With his many hands he seizes stars and constellations and flings the sea's chariots and the Moon's bulls about.
  10. Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 13.464–568Book 13: Lydians, Phrygians and CariansThe Lydians stream in from Sardis and the river Pactolos, and the poet tells how a priest of Zeus bound Typhon with a spell. The Phrygians follow Priasos, who had fled to Boeotia from a flood and returned home. Miletos and his brother Caunos lead the Carians.
  11. Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 8.178–332Book 8: Hera as Semele's nurseHera takes the shape of an old nurse and comes to Semele's chamber. She asks which god has been her lover and says that if it is Zeus she should ask him to come with thunder, as he does to Hera. Semele, stung, prays to Zeus for a bridal of lightning and complains that she has never seen his true form.
  12. Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 48.0–181Book 48: The Giants attack Dionysos; he wrestles PalleneHera, still angry over Argos, stirs Earth to arm the Giants against Dionysos. He drives them off with his thyrsus and ivy, but leaves them alive for his father to deal with. He then turns to Pallene, whose father Sithon has killed all her suitors, and wins her in a wrestling-match on the Thracian isthmus when Sithon stops the bout.
  13. Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 48.328–473Book 48: Aura insults Artemis; Nemesis is sent against herBathing beside Artemis, Aura stares at the goddess and mocks her breasts and her claim to virginity, boasting of her own boyish strength. Artemis, furious, appeals to Nemesis for vengeance. Nemesis pursues Aura in her griffin car and strikes her with her whip, and Eros makes Dionysos mad with love for the girl.

Antoninus Liberalis (1)

  1. Antoninus Liberalis, Metamorphoses 28.1–30.4Typhon, Galinthias and ByblisThe gods flee Typhon to Egypt and change into animals until Zeus crushes him under Etna. Galinthias tricks the Fates into releasing Alcmena's labour and is turned into a weasel. Byblis, in love with her brother Caunus, is saved by the nymphs and becomes a hamadryad.

Herodotus (1)

  1. Herodotus, Histories 2.155–157The oracle of Leto at Buto and the floating islandThe oracle of Leto at Buto stands in a city with temples of Apollo and Artemis. Its marvel is a house of Leto made of one stone, forty cubits each way. The island of Chemmis is said to float, and the Egyptians say Leto hid Apollo there from Typhon, naming Apollo Oros, Demeter Isis and Artemis Bubastis. Psammetichos reigned fifty-four years and besieged Azotos for twenty-nine.

Hyginus (2)

  1. Hyginus, De astronomia 2.25.1–2.33.2Book 2: From the Virgin to the HareThe Virgin is Justice, who left the earth in the age of bronze. The Scorpion, the Archer, Capricorn, Aquarius, the Fishes, the Whale and Eridanus follow in short chapters, and the Hare closes the group with the story of the hares of Leros.
  2. Hyginus, Fabulae 29–36Alcmene and the exploits of HeraclesThe conception of Heracles, the list of his twelve labours and his side-exploits are given in compressed form. The group ends with the madness that made him kill his family, the tale of Nessus and Deianira, and his death on the pyre.

Lycophron (1)

  1. Lycophron, Alexandra 694–838Alexandra 694–838: The three singing maidens at the Tyrrhenian shore, the wanderer's homecoming, and a husband's search for his brideThe three daughters of Tethys' son, who imitated their mother's melodies, hurl themselves from the cliffs into the Tyrrhenian sea, and Parthenope, Leucosia and Ligeia come ashore at named places where they are buried and honoured. The wanderer shuts the winds in an oxhide, is burnt by the thunderbolt, clings to a fig-tree above Charybdis, and after a short time with the daughter of Atlas sails a badly made vessel that is smashed. At last he returns alone to find his house plundered by wife-stealers, bears blows and jeers from his own slaves, and dies in old age of a fish's spike after seeing his son called the butcher of his father. Another husband then searches land and sea for the bride snatched from him, visiting the watching-place of Typhon, the city of Myrrha and the towers of Cepheus.

Plato (1)

  1. Plato, Phaedrus 227a–230ePhaedrus and Socrates by the Ilissus: Boreas and Oreithyia, Typhon and the plane treeSocrates meets Phaedrus, who is coming from a long morning with Lysias, and persuades him to read the speech that he has under his cloak, which is on the subject of love. They turn aside along the Ilissus to a quiet spot under a plane tree, and Phaedrus asks if it is not here that Boreas is said to have carried off Oreithyia. Socrates says that he has no time for explaining away such stories as the clever do, for he is still trying to follow the Delphic inscription and know himself, whether he is a monster more complicated and furious than Typhon or a simpler creature. He admires the breeze, the grass and the music of the cicadas, and asks Phaedrus to read.

Plutarch (1)

  1. Plutarch, On the Obsolescence of Oracles 20–22Ammonius answers the Epicureans; Cleombrotus's tale of the stranger and the worldsAmmonius replies to the Epicurean argument that bad daemons cannot live long, pointing out that length of life does not measure virtue, and asks Cleombrotus to resume. Cleombrotus then tells how he found, near the Red Sea, a man who spent most of his time with Nymphs and Daemons. Cleombrotus says that Plato refused to affirm an infinity of worlds, and that this man held there were one hundred and eighty-three, arranged in a triangle.

Strabo (6)

  1. Strabo, Geography 16.2.6–9Daphne, the Orontes and the Typhon legendStrabo describes Daphne with its grove and temple of Apollo and Artemis (Diana), and the Orontes, formerly called Typhon. He tells the fable that Typhon, a serpent struck by lightning, furrowed the earth as he fled underground and so made the river bed. He then covers Cyrrhestica, Seleuceia in Pieria, the Parthian defeat near Gindarus, and wine-rich Laodiceia.
  2. Strabo, Geography 13.4.6–7Homer's Hyde, the Arimi and the bed of TyphonStrabo works through Homer's lines on the Meones, born of the lake Gygaea, and the disputed place Hyde. He sets out the rival places for the Arimi and the bed of Typhoëus, Mysia, Cilicia, Syria and the islands off Cyme and Sicily, quoting Pindar on Typhon under Aetna. He also mentions the great mound of Alyattes and the royal tombs by Coloe.
  3. Strabo, Geography 5.4.9Pithecussae, Typhon and the volcanic islandsStrabo describes Prochyta and Pithecussae, abandoned by Eretrian and Chalcidian settlers and later colonists sent by Hiero of Syracuse because of earthquakes and eruptions. He explains the myth of Typhon lying beneath the island and cites Pindar on the fire beneath the strait from Cumae to Sicily and Timaeus on an eruption of Mount Epomeus. He also mentions Capreae, exchanged with Caesar Augustus.
  4. Strabo, Geography 12.8.16–21Laodiceia, earthquakes and the MaeanderStrabo describes Laodiceia and its fine black wool, the hot springs and the cavernous, earthquake-prone land around Carura and the Maeander. He discusses the Catacecaumene, where Typhon's fable is set, and the name Celaenae, which he derives from Celaenus, son of Poseidon (Neptune), or from the black colour of the stones or of burning. He ends with the temple of Men Carus, the Herophilian school, and the vanished Phrygian tribes, quoting Aeschylus on Niobe and Tantalus.
  5. Strabo, Geography 13.4.8–11Sardes after the Cimmerians, and the burnt land of CatacecaumeneStrabo gives the capture of Sardes by Cimmerians, Treres, Lycians and Cyrus, its earthquakes and Tiberius' repairs, and its notable orators. He notes the earthquake-shaken Philadelphia. He then describes the Catacecaumene, a burnt volcanic land which some made the scene of Typhon's fable, rich in vines, from which comes the epithet fire-born for Dionysus (Bacchus).
  6. Strabo, Geography 17.1.20–26The eastern Delta, Pelusium and the Red Sea canalStrabo continues through the eastern nomes of the Delta to Tanis and Pelusium, then goes up the river by Momemphis, Naucratis and Sais. At Momemphis the people worship Aphrodite (Venus) and keep a sacred cow, and near Sais the burial of Osiris is disputed, with a story of Isis hiding coffins from Typhon. He discusses the schoenus measure and the canal to the Arabian Gulf through the Bitter Lakes, attributed to Sesostris and later to Darius and the later kings.